Wally Crummey of Sydney races down a stretch of hard-packed snow that runs alongside the entrance to the Sydney airport in this file photo. The Nova Scotia Snowmobile Association is planning its second annual Ride4Dad fundraiser on March 1 across the Cape Breton Highlands.

The annual event supports prostate cancer research and takes snowmobile riders from Baddeck to scenic points like Cape Clear, Bald Mountain and other popular destinations.

"One of our main reasons was to raise money and awareness for the disease and to let people know that early detection is important," said Cheryl Joseph, co-chair of the organizing committee, when asked about the reason for the ride.

"We also wanted to showcase our beautiful Cape Breton Highlands and try to promote winter sports. We feel a lot of people just don't know how beautiful it is in the highlands. Maybe it might help winter tourism."

Last year, 100 snowmobiles participated in the tour, but because of a growing number of inquiries organizers have set the limit the tour can accommodate at 200 this year.

"Of course, there is nothing more beautiful than the Cape Breton Highlands in the wintertime if you are a snowmobiler or a skier, so we are expecting more this year from the mainland and a few from New Brunswick, too."

Staging for the ride begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Gaelic College and sets out from rear Baddeck to numerous locations across the highlands.

Joseph said there are a variety of guided tours riders can join, but everybody meets at the Cranton Crossroad Community Centre in Margaree for a large lunchtime meal and for the banquet later that night at the Gaelic College.

This year, organizers are hoping to exceed the slightly less than $10,000 the ride brought in last year.

"We already have more corporate sponsors. The first year is hard to get organized. It will be better organized and we hope to make this a continued thing every winter."

Wally Crummey of Sydney races down a stretch of hard-packed snow that runs alongside the entrance to the Sydney airport in this file photo. The Nova Scotia Snowmobile Association is planning its second annual Ride4Dad fundraiser on March 1 across the Cape Breton Highlands.